THE GREAT WOOD SPLITTING CONTEST

(Page 2 of 2)

September/October 1979
By the Mother Earth News editors 
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ROUND 3

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The seven-pound "go-devil" proved (as thousands of homesteaders already know) to be quite adequate for most wood-block business. The hickory-handled tool can crack many a fair-sized round. However, it did fail to open overly knurly pieces. The farmer's maul has also been known to stick fast in the middle of a log and require the use of wedge and sledge for its retrieval.

ROUNDS

The last judgment in our competition takes place not in the wood yard but in the wallet. The least expensive log splitter, not surprisingly, was the go-devil ... which cost us $15.95. The Monster Maul trailed behind at $27.95 delivered. (You can buy a lighter MM—with a 12-pound head—for $22.98 prepaid.) Chopper I was the most costly of the three at $34.95 delivered. (You can purchase the lever—action wood splitter with an unbreakable "Fiber-Core" handle—which would save writing off to Pennsylvania for wooden replacements-for an additional $2.50.)

AND THE WINNER IS ...

So what's the verdict in MOTHERS Splittathon? Unfortunately (but realistically), there is no clearcut winner. No one wood splitter dominated every category. The Chopper 1—because it avoided sticking and "handled" well—is probably the most effective tool to use, it you split mostly strafe htg rained green wood ... but it is also the most expensive of the three. The Monster Maul-on the other hand-rules the field when it comes to tearing open Stubborn knotty logs...but its chief splitting asset—its weightcould become a liability to anyone who depended on it as his or her only splitting tool. And, of course, the standard go-devil works mighty fine on the "average" round and is the least expensive of all ... but will occasionally jam tight in a billet.

All three implements split wood a darn sight better than an ordinary axe, but each of the tools will suit a different need and different budget. So MOTHER's giving you the facts and the results of our comparisons. it's up to you to pick "the winner" for yourself.

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Comments

  • Michael 1/17/2008 9:22:25 PM

    Go to chopperaxe.com and you'll find it.

  • Ryan 12/1/2007 10:58:21 AM

    I've been looking everywhere for the chopper 1, but can't find it
    locally or even for sale on the internet (minus antique ones on
    E-Bay). Can you please let me know where it was that you purchased
    this. After 20 years of abuse, we finally broke ours 5 years ago
    and have not been able to find its replacement. Thanks

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